Chilika fish, crabs now have a second address in Odisha capital

As part of its bid to make fresh marine products available to more people in the capital city, the Odisha government today opened the second kiosk here for sale of fresh fish and crabs from the world-famous Chilika Lake.

“Too small for me”, Agricullture & Fisheries minister Pradeep Maharathy seems to be saying after being offered a fish at the opening of the second ‘Chilika Fresh’ kiosk in Bhubaneswar on Sunday. BJD MLA Priyadarshi Mishra and BMC Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena look suitably amused(OST Photo)

Agriculture, Fisheries & Animal Resources Development Minister Pradeep Maharathy inaugurated the second “Chilika Fresh” outlet in the premises of Directorate of Horticulture at Nayapalli.

The air-conditioned stall is a modern, hygienic, pre-fabricated retail fish kiosk which will cater to the needs of the fish-eating population of Nayapalli and adjoining areas of the capital city.

A variety of freshwater, brackish water and marine fish, along with crabs and lobsters will be sold in hygienic condition at the outlet. Subsequently fishery products like dry fish, canned fish, fish pickle will also be sold to the consumers, an official of Fisheries department said.

This kiosk is being set up after the huge success of the first Chilika Fresh Kiosk opened at Siripur near OUAT. More such kiosks will be set up in various potential places of Bhubaneswar like Shahid Nagar, Jayadev Vihar, Unit-IX, Pokhariput etc.

After evaluating its success in Bhubaneswar, similar kiosks will be opened in other cities of the state like Cuttack, Berhampur, Rourkela and Sambalpur, Commissioner-cum- Secretary, Fisheries & ARD Bishnupada Sethi said.

The Kiosk has been set up with financial support from the state government and National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB). Directorate of horticulture has provided the space for it. The Kiosk will be operated by FISHFED, an apex Co­operative organisation.

With this, the members of different Chilika and other freshwater area Co-operatives will be directly benefited. Fish will be directly collected from fishermen and sold to consumers to give them the best price. Fresh water fish like Rohu, Catla, Mrigal and other Minor carps and marine fish like Hilsa, Pomfrets, Mackerel, Bhekti, Khainga, Prawns, and Crab etc. will be sold at the counters, he added.